United States Drug Enforcement Administration

BOISE – U.S. Attorney for the District of Idaho Josh Hurwit announced the results of two separate drug trafficking cases in Southern Idaho today involving fentanyl, methamphetamine, and fluorofentanyl.  Fluorofentanyl is an analogue of fentanyl.

“These cases show the unwavering commitment of my office and our law enforcement partners to remove drug traffickers from our communities,” said U.S. Attorney Hurwit.  “In each of these cases, the defendant possessed firearms, which exacerbates the danger to the public of illicit drug distribution.  There should be no confusion on the streets:  drug trafficking and unlawfully possessing firearms means a long stay in federal prison.”

On August 29, 2023, Senior U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill sentenced Joseph Castro, 38, of Seattle, Washington, to 188 months in federal prison followed by five years of supervised release.  According to court records, in September 2022, Boise Police arrested Castro in connection with a narcotics investigation.  While searching his backpack after arrest, officers located 2.8 pounds of fentanyl in powder and pill form, four firearms, one of which was stolen, and numerous rounds of ammunition.  Castro pleaded guilty to the charge on June 5, 2023.  Castro has an extensive criminal history, including convictions for burglary, domestic violence, battery, felon in possession of a weapon, and possession of a controlled substance.

U.S. Attorney Hurwit commended the cooperative efforts of the Boise Police Department, Boise Area Narcotics Drugs Interdiction Taskforce, and the Drug Enforcement Administration, which led to the charge in the Castro case.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Erin Blackadar prosecuted this case.

In a separate case, Koty Dillon Cooley, 32, of Boise, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Amanda K. Brailsford to nine years in federal prison to be followed by five years of supervised release for the possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine.  Cooley’s sentence was enhanced because he possessed a firearm in furtherance of the drug trafficking offense.

According to court records, Cooley was pulled over for a traffic violation.  During the traffic stop, officers obtained probable cause to search the vehicle for controlled substances.  During the search, they found over 400 grams of methamphetamine, over 140 grams of fentanyl, a digital scale, a revolver, two loaded shotgun magazines, a loaded Glock magazine, a plastic container with 67 rounds of .22 caliber ammunition, and approximately $3,612 in illicit drug proceeds.

U.S. Attorney Hurwit commended the investigations by the Idaho State Police, the Ada County Sheriff’s Office, and the Drug Enforcement Administration, which led to the charges in the Cooley case.  Assistant U.S. Attorney David Morse prosecuted this case.

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